April 30, 2008

DOJ Criminal Division Chief to Step Down

The Justice Department today announced that Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher has resigned after nearly three years at Main Justice.

“Alice Fisher has served this department, and this nation, with honor and distinction,” said Attorney General Michael Mukasey in a statement. “Under her leadership, the Criminal Division has upheld justice for the American people and dealt decisively and skillfully with a broad range of issues. Her intelligence, leadership, and strategic vision will be missed by the department. We are grateful for her service and confident that she leaves the division in a strong position to continue its mission.”

Fisher’s last day will be May 23. According to a Justice official, Fisher plans to take the summer off and spend more time with her family, including her two young children.

Fisher was a partner at Latham & Watkins when she was nominated by President George W. Bush in 2006. She was confirmed by the Senate in September of that year. From 2001 to 2003, she served as deputy assistant attorney general in the Criminal Division under then-Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff. She and Chertoff served in Kenneth Starr's Whitewater investigation.

When nominated, Fisher drew criticism because she had never tried a case and had no experience as a federal prosecutor.

Fisher is the latest is a string of high-profile Main Justice officials who have resigned or left the department in recent months ahead of a new presidential term.

Fisher’s ex-chief of staff Andrew Lourie left last month to join Kobre & Kim as a partner. Former Acting Deputy Attorney General Craig Morford stepped down last month after his replacement, ex-Chicago federal judge Mark Filip, was confirmed by the Senate. Will Moschella, a former principal deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Deputy Attorney General, left in January for a job at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.